Because only together we can

build a world where all of today's youth are safe, strong & valued

WHO WE ARE

Making a Real Difference in People’s Lives.

Spotlight UK started in April 2009. We started out to provide low cost activities to help increase confidence and self esteem to children and young people across Basingstoke. However this vision quickly grew and we were able to provide emotional and practical support as well as enjoyable and fun activities to hundreds of children and young people across the area every year.

Year by year we have grown our support and now work across Basingstoke & Deane, West Berkshire, Reading, Hart and Rushmoor, and soon in Salford and across London.

WHAT WE DO

Food & Clothes Bank

Over one million people used the support of food banks in the UK. A third of these were children.

Due to a mixture of the rising cost of living; of food and fuel, unemployment and underemployment

Charity Shop

Come and have a look in our Shop, All the proceeds go back in to the charity to help out Adults and Children in the community

Open Monday to Friday 10am till 5pm, Saturdays 10am till 4pm

Body Positivity

At the heart of our body positivity programme is giving people the tools to accept and love themselves. Promoting self-worth and tackling mental ill-health during our sessions aim to be a starting point for a further journey of self-love and acceptance.

Child and Youth Support

We provide 1-2-1 mentoring and emotional support for children and young people aged 7-19 years from vulnerable backgrounds

Family Support Service

Spotlight’s team of Family Support Workers support families cope with what life throws at them. We support parents cope, help to develop confidence and self esteem of parents.

Dance, Drama & Singing

The aim is to create classes where children can have fun, grow in confidence, reach their potential, improve self esteem, develop self worth, feel safe and smile.

IMPACT STORIES

Jessica’s Story

I am Jessica and I am 10 years old. This is my story which I now feel safe enough to share thanks to the team at Spotlight, social services and my new parents.

Caring for Macy

Macy aged 8, was selective mute after witnessing domestic abuse between her dad and her mum. She would cry herself to sleep. Lacking confidence and low self esteem. Spotlight has funded Macy to attend…

PARTNERS

support us and change the course of a child’s life today!

SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Spotlight UK works across West Berkshire, Basingstoke, and Hart & Rushmoor

Mentoring Support

We provide 1-2-1 mentoring and emotional support for children and young people aged 7-19 years from vulnerable backgrounds including young people with mental health issues, young people who are self harming, young people at risk of child sexual exploitation, young carers, children in care, children and young people affected by domestic abuse, neglect or physical/sexual/emotion abuse, children/young people who have experienced loss and separation, young people caught up with drugs/alcohol abuse or anti social behaviour, those excluded from school, those affected by domestic abuse, young people disengaged at school, young people with anger issues, children and young people where one parent is not around or part of their lives.

We currently provide over 4000 hours of 1-2-1 mentoring per year. We receive referrals from schools, GPs, Social Workers, School Nurses, Mental Health Services, Early Help Hubs, Health Visitors and other professionals.

Each child or young person is treated as an individual. Most of the young people we work with just want quality attention, support, encouragement and love. Our team help young people to regulate their emotions, talk through problems they are facing, help young people reach their potential and achieve their goals.

Our role as a mentor is to believe in the young person, make them feel safe, make them feel important and wanted, we see the good when others do not. There is always hope even when it does not feel like there is. Encourage young people to never give up and encourage that they can achieve if they put their minds to it.

You can really make a difference and change a life around...

Become a mentor...

It’s an opportunity for you to change the life of a young person who, through no fault of their own, is not receiving the attention, encouragement and support they need.

Many of the young people after they leave us, return to school, get excellent exam results and some go on to higher education. Others learn to manage regulate their emotions, rebuild relationships with parents or sibling, develop coping strategies to cope with difficult problems at home.

It’s not only the mentees themselves who benefit from a mentoring programme, many of our mentors have said that mentoring has helped them in their employment and looks good on their cvs, as well as the satisfaction that comes from watching a young person grow and achieve.

What does being a mentor involve..

Mentors meet with the same young person once a week, for around six months to one year. The aim is to offer support, encouragement and guidance. Mentors encourage young people to believe in themselves, building up their self-confidence and helping them to achieve their goals.

Many of the young people have been let down by adults and have faced disappointment. They may not have an opportunity to express how they feeling or if they do, they might not have anyone who really cares. The most important thing that a mentor can do is to simply be there for the young person – to be someone that the young person can trust, an adult who will listen to them without judgement.

If you are interested please email admin@spotlightuk.org